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It seems this stems from which agency controls which maximum. For HSA limits the IRS is in control, for ACA compatible plan limits Health & Human Services (HHS) is in control. The IRS issued guidance in around May of 2015 including the upper limit of $13,100 for 2016, and in August HHS was more aggressive with the upper limits resulting in the $13,700 level you're seeing.

My speculation about catastrophic plans is irrelevant.

It seems this stems from which agency controls which maximum. For HSA limits the IRS is in control, for ACA compatible plan limits Health & Human Services (HHS) is in control. The IRS issued guidance in around May of 2015 including the upper limit of $13,100 for 2016, and in August HHS was more aggressive with the upper limits resulting in the $13,700 level you're seeing.

My speculation about catastrophic plans is irrelevant. Though you could speculate that the deviance of these two maximums is the result of a difference in objective between the two agencies. The IRS "loses" billions in tax revenue each year to tax-exempt vehicles related to healthcare (employer cafeteria plans, FSA, HSA, etc.) and may be seeking more modesty related to increases while HHS wants the most number of healthcare enrolled citizens (higher maximums can stem premium increases).

After doing a bit of research it seems this stems from which agency controls which maximum. For HSA limits the IRS is in control, for ACA compatible plan limits Health & Human Services (HHS) is in control. The IRS issued guidance in around May of 2015 for the 2016 limits, and in August HHS was more aggressive with the upper limits resulting in the $13,700 level you're seeing.

My speculation about catastrophic plans is irrelevant.

It seems this stems from which agency controls which maximum. For HSA limits the IRS is in control, for ACA compatible plan limits Health & Human Services (HHS) is in control. The IRS issued guidance in around May of 2015 including the upper limit of $13,100 for 2016, and in August HHS was more aggressive with the upper limits resulting in the $13,700 level you're seeing.

My speculation about catastrophic plans is irrelevant.

Among the Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze metal tiers laid out by the ACA there is a category called "Catastrophic." These plans are only available to folks under age 30 and others who meet some hardship criteria. The plans you're seeing on the exchange with a $13,700 deductible are in this catastrophic category. Obviously $13,700 is higher than $13,100, but the IRS has decided to leave catastrophic plans out of the HSA eligibility pool.

I'm speculating but I presume this is likely because eligibility for a catastrophic plan is limited to young people and those who are financially struggling. If these two demographics had the money to pay the premium and save specifically for health related events they'd be better off on a stronger policy. Additionally, in my small amount of research in to catastrophic plans, I've found the premium wasn't always advantageous to a bronze level plan anyway.

After doing a bit of research it seems this stems from which agency controls which maximum. For HSA limits the IRS is in control, for ACA compatible plan limits Health & Human Services (HHS) is in control. The IRS issued guidance in around May of 2015 for the 2016 limits, and in August HHS was more aggressive with the upper limits resulting in the $13,700 level you're seeing.

My speculation about catastrophic plans is irrelevant.